Phuket Thailand

aussie45 · #1 22-08-2007, 16:35

I have a young (23) Tg who is a friend and is going to Las Vegas, leaving 25/08/07. She is travelling alone and will meet her boss in Las Vegas for a convention. She is petrified that she will have a problem with Immigration when she arrives and she wants to know how to make a long distance phone call to me in Australia from a public phone in the US isf she strikes a problem with Immigration or misses one of her connecting flights.

I used the public system in USA many years ago and it was a nightmare. Can anyone help me by letting me know the process of making an international call from a public phone in the US. An unusal request., I know. Thanks in anticipation. Maybe so-cal could help me on this one?

Maverick351 · #2 22-08-2007, 19:11

Hi Aussie45, I think you'll find so cal is curently in the sin bin...

Anyway last time I was in the States, you can just pick up the phone and I think it's "0" for operator. She can request a reverse charges call, as long as she has your full number in Oz. They will keep her on hold, and call you. They will advise that they have XX on the line and would you accept the charges. If yes, then they will connect you with her and your billed for the call. It will be expensive, but I suppose this is just in case she needs to contact you in the emergency situation.

I'm sure fellow USA BM's might provide a better process if there's one.

Captain · #3 22-08-2007, 19:30

Maybe a strange question, but if she is on a businesstrip/convention to the US, and her (company) boss is meeting her there, why can't she phone him locally for help???

aussie45 · #4 23-08-2007, 08:14

Thanks guys, and thanks Captain for your pm, She is travelling to a trade exhibition but I believe her cell will not work in the us. If it does work I suppose she can get a phone card and maybe able to contact the boss. Will a thai cell work in the US, I've also been told my Aus phone wont work in the US, must use a different system.

MrDK · #5 23-08-2007, 08:46

There are two reasons a foreign phone may not work in the US.
1. The phone is not capable of using the North American bands
2. The carrier has no repository agreement with a US carrier. Almost certain to be the case with Thai prepaid cards such as 1-2-call.

North America uses 850 and 1900 MHz and the rest of the world uses 900 and 1800 MHz. If you friend has a tri-band phone then one will work in the US and a quad band will have full coverage.

I have a few business associates that come to the US from Thailand and their Thai carrier has agreement with US carriers and their phone work fine. I have to assume that if you have a contract phone service in Thailand it will be just fine.

If the mobile does not work the collect call method that Maverick suggested is the most convenient. As mentioned dial 0 from any pay phone any you will get an operator. Depending on the phone company she may need to dial 00 for an international operator. A call like this is easy and expensive.

Next option is to buy a calling card. To use those you will dial the toll free number on the card and follow the instructions to enter the number to be called and the calling card number. Calling cards are readily available in kiosks and convenience stores.

Here is the real problem. If immigration is the problem, there will be no pay phones in that area and the use of mobile phones may be restricted.

The reality is that with a proper visa she should not have significant problems. She may be questioned and may be pulled aside. It is important that she got her story straight and can explain the purpose of visiting the convention. I would suggest a printout of the convention program / schedule to support her story.

spartan · #6 23-08-2007, 10:08

Make sure she carries a copy of her entire itinerary along with return flight information, keep it all nicely organized. The other tip is make sure she packs light, doing both of those things she won't have any problem going through immigration. I've never seen customs hassling business travels or tourists who have their paperwork in order. They'll probably ask her why she's coming into the country, the word "Convention" will answer that. I'm guessing she's going to clear through at LAX, no phones until she goes through the screening process, reassure her it's not that scary. I'm assuming there is no arrest record and her paperwork is solid. If that's true she'll clear through with a smile and a welcome.

aussie45 · #7 23-08-2007, 10:17

Thanks for the replies, this is the first time she has travelled outside Asia ans she is sh*t scared that she will be detained. I think all her friends who know nothing have scared her. She only has prepaid card in Thailand, I have tried to assure her that she wont have any problems because she is there for a genuine reason. I'll make sure she has copy of itinerary and convention details with her. Once agin thanks for the help.

JayBee · #8 23-08-2007, 12:04

There are loads of Thai people flying in and out of the US every day, especially at LAX. ! If her visa is in order, she should have no problems at all. Although it can be a hassle for a girl to get a visa, once they have it, then it will be smooth sailing when they enter the US.

MrDK · #9 23-08-2007, 12:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussie45

I think all her friends who know nothing have scared her.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayBee

Although it can be a hassle for a girl to get a visa, once they have it, then it will be smooth sailing when they enter the US.

Aussie, I think this is important to convey. The girls in Thailand may know all the difficulty in the process of of getting a visa for the US, but they do not know anything beyond that.